Absentee votes tie up Lyonsdale council race

PORT LEYDEN  With the addition of absentee votes, a Republican primary for a Lyonsdale Town Council seat has ended in a tie.

In a four-way GOP primary for council, incumbents William L. Marmon and Nancy OBrien-Dailey were the top two vote-getters after machine votes were counted Sept. 10.

However, Ms. OBrien-Dailey led challenger John L. Smith by only one vote, 45-44. And after absentee ballots were counted Thursday, the race between the two candidates stands at 46 votes apiece.

Lewis County election commissioners are seeking the advice of attorneys at the state Board of Elections before determining how the tie should be broken.

Since neither candidate holds any other lines, the one not selected will be off the November ballot.

Meanwhile, the chosen one will join Mr. Marmon and fourth-place primary finisher David Butts, who holds the Conservative Party line, on the general election ballot in a three-way race for two open council seats.

Also, absentees made a GOP primary for Croghan assessor much closer but did not change the final result.

Assessor Amos A. Noftsier led challenger Deanna K. Hoch, 39-36, after the Election Day vote. Including absentee votes, Mr. Noftsier won the race by only a one-vote margin, 43-42.

Mrs. Hoch still holds the Democratic line, so both assessor candidates will be on the general election ballot.

No other Lewis County primary elections were affected by absentee ballots.

Results from the Sept. 10 primary likely will be deemed official sometime today, according to county election officials.

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